Help!!! installed power steering, will not turn left!!

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Oct 9, 2009
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I just spent the last 2 days installing a power steering conversion kit from Classic Cruisers, the instructions says to fill the pump up and with the engine running and work the steering wheel back and forth until the gearbox primes itself. I can turn right but it locks up when trying to turn left, after about 30 minutes of trying I have yet to fill any power, even though it will only work right hand. I fill sure I found center of the gear box before installing the pitman arm. I did notice some binding when I was trying to locate center.
All the brackets were predrilled and looking a the rag joint it looks like the right angle from the floor, but looking side to side it's looks to be about a 15 degree angle. How forgiven is the angle on the rag joint?
Should I remove the pitman arm and see if there's any binding.
Could the hoses be hooked up backwards, it says the return line is closest to the fire wall (is the the low pressure line)
Any help would be greatly appreciated
 
The gear box output shaft and pit-man arm have index location alignment markings.....

The hoses can only be installed one way as they have different size fittings.........

If all above is correct? Then a spool valve problem exist........

Or...... some joker (during a resealing repair) has the internals of the box out of time.......
 
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Well its been 30 minutes now, any clues?

Anything jump out at ya?
 
How do you index the pitman arm, the instructions only said to find center of the gearbox by counting revolutions on the steering wheel then turn back half that, and install the pitman arm.
 
Jeez Louise.........

.................:rolleyes:..................................
timing marks (Custom).webp
 
Im doing a PS conversion and i have to ask....

Is that a FJ40 pitman on a mini-truck box?

Should the index be correct even during this swap?
 
Yep unless something else is out of kilter...........
 
OK I see the matchmarks I was a little off, I took the pitman arm off and with the engine not running it turns freely. Oil shoots out the top is this normal is it bleeding the air out. The problem I can't seem to fill the reservoir it keeps leaking out the top of the gearbox.

thanks for your help
 
one more question should the matchmarks be straight up and down ( top dead center ) mine is about a 30 degree off top dead center
 
The marks don't have to be dead on, just long as you get full travel from stop to stop, the marks just used as a reference point to start with.........

The leak is another issue tho......
 
I used 64 oz of power steering fluid it's all on the garage floor, the oil keeps shooting out the top vent hole is there something missing? Could the pump be sucking air threw the cap, I was disappointed seeing the pump was used in this kit, and the top is dented some what. I have yet to fill any power in the steering it still fills like manual, and there is still some bind turning left.
 
Stuck spool valve with s*** under the relief and I don't think its out of time however its a possibility.Have someone with knowledge of hydraulics to look at it or get an exchange box.
 
So what is the story behind this gear box?

Rebuilt or just a take-off? Mini truck, correct?

Anyway you can post up a pic or 2?
 
Soory .A relief is a valve that relieves pressure from the pump any where from 500 to 5000 LBS .If there is s*** under the relief no pressure can build up there fore no power assist.And possibly cause you fluid loss.
 
it's a rebuilt, is the relief valve adjustable are is there more than likely something wrong inside the box
IMGP0187.webp
 
The relief is adjustable via shims.Take it out ,undo your power hose and unscrew it from the pump,your hose actually screws into it on top of the pump.See if there is any noticeable pieces of dirt or something in the valve.Your sure you have the hoses hooked up correctly ,make sure the power hose goes into that valve.
 

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